Towed from Private Unsigned Private Property in Louisiana

My question involves towing laws for the State of: Louisiana

Tonight my car has been towed from the parking lot of a private property, no signs were present to forewarn towing of vehicles left on the property, although nearby streets had signs for towing by local law enforcement. The buildings had signs saying no trespassing, but the access to the forecourt did not imply that the grounds would be considered trespassing.

I wish to find out whether my vehicle has been taken illegally, and would also like to know whether the fees they are trying to charge are legal? $177.74 in cash only.

Re: Towed from Private Unsigned Private Property in Louisiana

Quoting hai_bar

Tonight my car has been towed from the parking lot of a private property, no signs were present to forewarn towing of vehicles left on the property, although nearby streets had signs for towing by local law enforcement.

That's because law enforcement doesn't enforce parking issues on private property, only on municipal streets (that's where they have jurisdiction). Private property is under the rule of the property owner, or other persons or companies that the property owner hires or contracts to do so.

The buildings had signs saying no trespassing, but the access to the forecourt did not imply that the grounds would be considered trespassing.

If you pull into an area that has a sign that says no trespassing, it's pretty clear that it DOES include the grounds, especially if you can see it from the parking area. Unless you are parked on private property that has an understood status of "it's ok to park here", such as a merchant that is open for business, the implication is that it's private - meaning don't go there. I don't have a no parking sign in my driveway, but if you leave your car there, I'm having it towed. Similarly, when a merchant is NOT open for business (meaning there is no implied permission to park on their property), the same thing applies. Private property must always be considered private unless there is some express or implied permission to enter into or onto it (the big "open" sign in the window says one thing, all the lights off and the doors locked says something different). Sure, lots of businesses wouldn't care if you park in their lot after hours (when there is NO implied permission), but those that DO care are most certainly within their right to remove your vehicle from their property, signs or no signs.

Re: Towed from Private Unsigned Private Property in Louisiana

A. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Authorized representative" shall mean an individual a property owner has delegated or inferred managerial responsibilities to regarding a particular property or premise. An authorized representative shall not be a tow truck owner or operator.

(2) "Nonconsensual tow" shall mean the towing of a motor vehicle without the prior consent or authorization of the motor vehicle owner or operator.

(3) "Parking areas" shall mean areas used by the public as a means of access to and egress from, and for the parking of motor vehicles by patrons of a shopping center, business, factory, hospital, or institution. "Parking areas" shall also include housing and apartment complexes, private or public institutions of learning, and other similar locations.

(4) "Tagged for removal" shall mean the placement of a highly visible sticker or other similar tag, which contains the date, time, name of the tow company authorized to remove the vehicle, and the printed name and signature of the property owner or his authorized representative, in a conspicuous place on the motor vehicle by the property owner or his authorized representative. Such stickers or tags shall be clearly visible to drivers of passing vehicles and shall not damage, harm, or otherwise alter the appearance of the motor vehicle.

B. No tow truck operator engaged in the nonconsensual tow of a motor vehicle from any parking area shall tow the motor vehicle unless the tow has been authorized by a law enforcement agency of competent jurisdiction or the motor vehicle has been tagged for removal. However, if the billing invoice has been signed by the property owner or his authorized representative prior to the unauthorized vehicle being towed or if the provisions of Subsection C of this Section are applicable, the vehicle shall not be required to be tagged for removal. Any tow truck operator towing a vehicle from a parking area or private property shall provide a billing invoice to the owner or redeemer of the motor vehicle which invoice complies with applicable law and shall include the following information:

(1) Date and time of service.

(2) The tow truck operator's name and the time of departure.

(3) The name of the law enforcement agency requesting the tow, if applicable.

(4) Itemization of all fees charged for service.

(5) Any additional information required by the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

C. Property owners who tow unauthorized vehicles from their property or parking areas shall place signage in clearly visible locations at the entrances and exits to such property warning motorists that unauthorized vehicles may be towed. A property owner or his authorized representative who enters into contracts or agreements with a tow truck company to engage in tow-related services and activities shall place signage in clearly visible locations at the entrances and exits to such property warning motorists that unauthorized vehicles may be towed. The signage shall include the name, address, and phone number of the towing company, and the uniform towing fee in lettering no less than two inches in height. Additionally, a copy of the contract or agreement entered into between the property owner or his authorized representative and the tow truck company shall be maintained at the business office of the property owner and the business office of the tow truck company and in the tow truck. The contract or agreement shall define the parking rules and reasons for towing. Property owners meeting the requirements of this Subsection shall not be required to tag a motor vehicle for removal or sign the billing invoice prior to towing.

D. All fees charged by a tow truck operator for the nonconsensual towing of a vehicle from private property or parking areas shall be uniform and shall be set in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission and by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police. If the tow truck operator charges any fee in excess of the uniform fee, the owner of the motor vehicle shall have a right and cause of action to recover the amount of the excess fee, storage costs, if applicable, reasonable attorney fees, and all court costs. The provisions of this Section shall be enforced by all state and local law enforcement officers and duly appointed officers of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Tow truck operators shall make billing invoices available for inspection upon request by any law enforcement officer or duly appointed officer of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and shall provide such officers with a copy of any billing invoice, any contract for services, or the name, address, and phone number of any property owner or authorized representative.

E. Any tow truck operator who fails to comply with the provisions of this Section, who fails to provide a billing invoice which contains the information required by this Section to the redeemer of the motor vehicle, or who tows a vehicle in violation of this Section shall be in violation of the provisions of R.S. 14:68.4 and shall be subject to any applicable penalty prescribed by law, including but not limited to the revocation of the towing license. Lack of knowledge of the conduct of a tow truck company employee shall not be a defense for the tow truck company owner.

You should also check to see if there are any local ordinances governing towing.

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